Nominations open for 2022 Minnesota Teacher of the Year

(ABC 6 News) – Everyone remembers a favorite teacher, someone who motivates and inspires students for a lifetime. Minnesotans have the opportunity again this fall to nominate that unique educator for Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Nominations opened Wednesday and can be submitted online through Nov. 15. The 2022 Teacher of the Year will be named at a ceremony on May 1, 2022, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year also becomes Minnesota’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

Eligible nominees must meet these criteria:

• Teach in a public or nonpublic pre-kindergarten-12th grade school, or in an Adult Basic Education or ECFE program, working at least 50 percent of the time directly with students.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree and a Minnesota teaching license.
• Have completed five years of teaching by the nomination deadline.
• Intend to teach during the 2022-23 school year.

Anyone may nominate a teacher. Self-nominations are also accepted.

Natalia Benjamin, an English learner and ethnic studies teacher at Century High School in Rochester, won the 2021 Minnesota Teacher of the Year award.

The state program has been highly successful nationally – Minnesota ranks third in the nation with four National Teachers of the Year.

For more information or to receive a paper nomination form, call Ashley Behrens at 651-292-4862 or 800-652-9073.